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ZipPicks Awards
Best Thai in Palms-Cheviot Hills
Master Critic Review
Good Day Thai Kitchen and Cafe
7.7
A compact Palms cafe running Thai Town-caliber specialties—boat noodles, soft shell crab curry, and a weekend-only breakfast menu with items like jook topped with crispy noodles—in a neighborhood where options beyond basic pad thai are thin. The teal-and-white space is charming but genuinely small, so expect to wait during peak hours and know that portion sizes on some dishes run lean for the price point.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pad Thai, Pad See Ew, Tom Kha
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.5
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 7.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.5
What makes it special: Tiny Palms café bringing Thai Town-caliber specialties like boat noodles and soft shell crab curry to the Westside, with a weekend-only breakfast menu you won't find elsewhere in the neighborhood.
Who should go: Westside locals craving legit Thai beyond basic pad thai
When to visit: Weekday lunch to skip waits; weekends for breakfast menu
What to order: Start with cream cheese wontons, then pick between pad thai and boat noodles as your main — add a tom kha soup to share, and don't skip the Thai tea.
Insider tip: Come on a weekend morning for the breakfast-only Good Day's Joke — rice porridge with minced pork, ginger, and a nest of crispy noodles.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free street parking on National Blvd—easy on weeknights, but prepare to circle during weekend dinner rush in the Palms neighborhood
Weekend wait: Expect a wait—the space is tiny with limited tables, so arrive early or plan for a 15–20 min hold during peak hours
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Multiple vegetarian dishes including stir-fried vegetable plates, yellow curry with potato and carrot, and green rolls—clearly available on the menu
Vegan options: Vegetable-based curries and stir-fries can be ordered vegan; tofu substitutions available across most dishes
Gluten-free options: GF dishes are marked directly on the menu; pad thai is among the identified gluten-free options
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes - this tiny teal-and-white café has an intimate, hipster-chic atmosphere with a warm neon 'Today is a Good Day' sign setting a cozy tone. The small size keeps things personal, and the noise level is comfortable for conversation. Sharing adventurous dishes like the soft shell crab curry or weekend brunch specials gives you plenty to talk about. Best for a casual, low-pressure date rather than a formal evening out.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possible on weeknights, but risky on weekends - this is a very small café with limited seating. Weekday lunch or early dinner you can likely walk in without issue. Weekend brunch is their busiest period thanks to the specialty breakfast menu, so book ahead. Reservations are accepted and recommended, especially for Friday and Saturday evenings. If you show up without one during peak hours, expect a wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal for young children - there is no dedicated kids menu, and the compact space means less room for restless little ones. High chair availability is not confirmed. Older kids (10+) who enjoy Thai food would do fine here, especially at a casual weekday lunch. The atmosphere is better suited to adults and teens than toddlers or young children.
Is it good for groups? Only for small groups of up to 4 people - the café is tiny with limited tables, so parties larger than 4 would be very difficult to accommodate. There is no private dining room. If you have a group of 4 or fewer, it works well for a casual meal. For anything larger, you'll need to look elsewhere. Call ahead even for a group of 4 to make sure seating is available.
Is there outdoor seating? Yes - there is outdoor seating described as cute and inviting, fitting the café's overall charm. Specific details on the number of tables, whether it is covered, or whether heaters are available are not confirmed online - call ahead at (310) 730-6400 to ask, especially during cooler months.
Best For
Better for: Intimate meals for two or weekend brunch—the weekend breakfast menu with minced pork rice porridge and fluffy chicken omelette is where this tiny spot truly shines
Skip if: You need room for a large group—this is a tiny cafe with very limited indoor seating
Hours
Monday11am - 3pm, 4pm - 9:30pm
Tuesday11am - 3pm, 4pm - 9:30pm
Wednesday11am - 3pm, 4pm - 9:30pm
Thursday11am - 3pm, 4pm - 9:30pm
Friday11am - 3pm, 4pm - 9:30pm
Saturday11am - 9:30pm
Sunday11am - 9:30pm